Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck?

Should I have a mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)? What are the differences on recovery time and surgery success? I've had 3 kids (4, 3, and 1) and I'm only 23. No allergy to any meds; No surgeries

Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck?
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9 answers to “Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck?”

A: Mini Tummy Tuck or Full Tummy Tuck?

Scott W. Mosser, MD

An abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck, is a procedure which improves sagging skin and loose muscle in the abdomen, both of which are very common after weight loss or pregnancy.  A Tummy Tuck will often address the entire tummy, and correct the entire abdominal wall. The recovery is very similar to the... more

A: A mini tummy tuck will not help the loose skin around your belly button

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

You really would benefit from either option--the mini tummy tuck will flatten your lower tummy and tighten the skin. However, I see loose skin above your belly button, stretch marks and after 3 children I would guess that your muscles underneath are also lax. In this case, a full abdominoplasty may give you a... more

A: Full versus mini tummy tuck

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Hi, Thanks for submitting the photos - it makes answering your question much easier! You'd get good results from a mini tummy tuck and great results from a full tummy tuck. Your photos reveal muscle laxity (bulging) below the bellow button, as well as some excess skin and stretch marks in the lower abdomen.... more

A: I would recommend the full tummy tuck

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Have a look at the patient 2 minutes into my video. She had a full tummy tuck, and the previous scar will help you understand the results of surgery.  Looking at your abdomen, you have a bulge in the lower abdomen consistent with muscle weakness, and a large amount of stretch marks (mostly below the belly... more

A: You will have a better result with a full tummy tuck

Robert B. Pollack, MD

If you are looking to have as many stretch marks removed as possible then you should have a full tummy tuck. This will take the healthy skin that is above your belly button and pulls that down while eliminating all if not most of the skin below your belly button. There is a bit longer recovery from full tummy... more

A: Mini tummy tuck and liposuction combination may be better option

J. Vicente P. Poblete, MD

If the main problem is excess skin below the belly-button, then a mini-tummy tuck may do. Most importantly, what are your expectations? Most of the time, I combine a mini-tuck with liposuction of the abdomen (area not to be removed with the mini tummy tuck) and liposuction of the hip-flank area for improved... more

A: Mini vs. Full vs. Modified Tummy Tucks

Michael Diaz, MD

You have several options availabe for improvement of your abdomen. The most appropriate choice will depend on what your desires are and how loose your skin is, which is best determined by a full consultation with examination. I see that you have some loose skin awith strecth marks that go all the way... more

A: "Mini" tummy-tucks may not fully address all abdominal issues

Karen M. Horton, MD

"Mini" abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a term often used to comfort those who are apprehensive about surgery that their recovery will be less than that of a standard procedure. Often "mini" implies that the entire procedure will not be done - i.e. shorter scar, less surgical dissection,... more

A: Difficult to say without an exam...

Armando Soto, MD

Hi there- While your photo is helpful, in order to give you the best advice, I would also want to know how stretchy and loose your tissues are on exam- this is determined by feeling the tissues and so is not possible online... Here are a few points to consider... Mini-tummy tuck is an operation I no longer... more

Comments

deborahT
5 posts
17 Apr 2009

Hi, Like you, I have 3 kids and have almost the same exact tummy as you, stretch marks near and under the belly button and a small pooch. I did the mini tuck and as Dr Armando Soto says, I'm one of those unhappy campers of the mini tuck. Picture my pooch as a donut and my belly button is the center.. well, the surgery flatten out the half below my belly button and left the upper half to stick forward. It wasn't noticeable before but now it is. My advise is to either get slim lipo done on the flanks and upper and lower abs or go for the modified tucks where a combo of lipo and tightening of all the muscles are involved. Recently, I did a modified tuck to correct my awkwardness from the mini tuck, but if I could turn back time, I would have just gone for the slim lipo and left myself scar-less instead.

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